Feeder



M. FRISCH Feb. 7, 1933.

FEEDER Filed March 21, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet I INVENTOR 11,-: ATTORNEY my U 1mm Feb. 7, 1933. sc 1,896,354

FEEDER Filed March 21, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR mull 6 amnll f ATTQRNEY M. FRISCH Feb. 7, 1933.

FEEDER Filed March 21,- 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 TOR 4)" j ATTQRN Febr I, 1933. M sc 1,896,354

FEEDER Filed March 21, 1950 4 Sheets-Shee 4 dfii glllllnn Ami IIIIIIMALFEA ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 7, 1933 ran STATES MARTIN Person, on NEW YOR N. "5 5., ASSIGNOR 'ro FOSTER HEELER oonronA'rron,

or NEW YonK, N. Y, A oonronn'rron'or NEW YORK FEEDER n ncation filed March 21,

This invention relates to feeding mecha nism and more particularly to a mechanism for feeding pulverized coal from a hopper to a plurality of burners;

An object of this invention is to provide a feeder which is capable of continuously extracting a predetermined quantity of pulverized fuel from a supply hopper. Other objects of the invention are: to provide a feeder which is capable of removing the fuel from substantially all parts of the hopper; to provide a feeder of the above type which is capable of evenly distributing fuel to a plurality of burners; to provide means for interrupting the fuel supplyto any predetermined burner without interfering with the supply of fuel to the remaining burners; to provide a feeding device whichis comparatively simple in Construction and which contains a minimum number of movable elements; to provide a device of the character described which may be readily assembled or disassembled; and to provide a cheap, simple, eflicient anddependable mechanism for the above purposes; I

The above objects, and others which will be apparent'as the nature of the invention is disclosed, are accomplished by providing a rotating feeder which cooperates with a stationary plate located across the bottom ofthe hopper and provided with a plurality of circularly arranged cells. The rotating feeder successively removes fuel from the various cells while the fuel is being supplied from the hopper to the rema-ining cells, and distributes the fuel through a rotary discharge pipe to a manifold which leads to the various burners. Gates are provided for controlling the inlet to the various burners whereby certain of the burners may be cut out of operation without interfering with the efficient 0perationof the feeding mechanism for the other burners. The rotating member is also provided with an element which extends into the hopper for fiufling the pulverized fuel contained therein, and insuring an even flow thereof into the cells;

The invention also consists in certain new and original features of construction and 1930. ,Serial No. 437,852.

combinations of and claimed. 7 1

Although the novel features Which'are be lieved to be characteristiczof this invention will be particularly'pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself-,ias to its objects and advantages, .the .mode of its operation and the manner of its organization may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which: f

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly insection, of the feeding mechanismassociated with a fuel hopper; Fig. 2 is an end elevation thereof; Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the rotary feeder; Fig. 4 is a plan elevation of the feeder disclosed in Fig. 3; Fig. 5. is a section taken'on the line 55 of Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a plan View of the manifold and associated mechanism; and Fig. 7 is a section taken on the line 77 of Fig.6.

Like reference characters denote like parts in the several figures of the'vdrawings.

In the following description and in the claims parts will be identified by specific names for convenience, but they are intended to be as generic in their application to similar parts as the art will permit. V

Referring to the drawings more in detail, one embodiment of the inventionis shown in the form of a feeder comprising a stationary cell plate 10 (Figs. 3and 4) which is secured to a cylindrical housing l1 mounted ,below hopper 12 (Fig. 1) in any convenient manner. Plate 10 is provided with a plurality. of circularly arranged cells 14 (Figs. 3 and 4) which are adapted to receive pulverized fuel from the supply hopper 12 in the manner to be described.

A casting 15, formingv an air chamber, is mounted below plate 10 and is secured thereto as by bolts16. Annular spacing member 17 may be interposed between plate 10 and cast ing to provide anannular recess 28 in which a rotating member, to be described, is seated. Casting 15 supports housing which forms a gear chamber for receiving the driving mechanism and .is closed by member 21, which is secured thereto in any con- 100 parts hereinafter setiforth venient manner. Housing 20 is provided with a flange 22 which is bolted to flange 23 of casting 15 as by bolts 24.

A rotating member 25, having a passage 26 extending from the axial position to a point under circularly disposed cells 14, is provided with a peripheral flange 27 which seats in recess 28 above mentioned. Member 25 is formed at the top with a circular plate 30 which closes all of the cells 14, with the exception of the cell in alignment with passage 26. Member 25 is also formed with a circular bore 31 which communicates with the interior of casting 15 when the member is in any position. Member 35, having a passage 36 therein, is mounted on member 25 and is provided with a substantially circular plate portion 37 which overlies the various cells14. Plate 37 is cut .away as at 38 so aslto expose certain of the cells 14 and to permit'the pulverized fuel from hopper 12 to enter the same. Passage 36 interconnects central bore 31 of member 25 with passage 26 of member 25 .w'hen said passages are in register with a fuel cell. Rod 40 may be threaded into member 35 in a position to extend into the fuel contained in hopper 12 for agitating the same as the device is rotated. As shown, a plurality of gate members 100 for controlling the rate of flow of fuel to the cells 14 are mounted in the housing 11 above the member 35 and are .adapted to be rotated about their axes by means of the worm and gear mechanisms 101. Power may be applied to the shaft 102 carrying the worms through member 103.

The above described elements are so arranged that pulverized fuel from the supply hopper is allowed to fall by gravity into the cel ls14 which are exposed by the cut away portion 38 of member 37 inany particular instance. Plate 30, which underlies these cells, prevents the fuelfrom falling therethrough and causesthem to retain the charge until passages 26 and 36 are brought into register therewith. When this occurs the air blastfrom the casting 15 passes through bore 31 and passage36 and blows the fuel which is contained in'the particular cell in register therewith, through passage 26 and intothe hollow rotary drive shaft to be described.

A quantity of packing material 43 is inserted between member 25 and housing 15 and is held by follower 44 which may be adjusted by bolts 45. This packing material prevents the air and dust from passing around the outer side of member 25. The member is primarily supported byflange 27 which cooperates with recess 28 formed between casting 15, plate 10 and annular member 17.

A hollow drive shaft 46 is keyed to the end of member 25, as by key 47, in alignment'with passage 26. Said drive shaft is supported in 56 which is adapted to form a comparatively I tight seal between the stationary and rotating parts. Shields 57 and 58 are carried by shaft46 and extend over bearings 48 and 49, respectively, for protecting the same from dust and similar materials.

Gear wheel 60 is keyed to shaft 46, as by key 61, and meshes with a worm .62 whichis mounted in housing 20 in any convenient manner andconnected to a suitable source of power (notshown). Sleeve 6351s interposed between member 21 and shaft 46 to provide a further bearing surface and support therefor. For protecting shaft 46 from wear, a tubular liner is inserted therein and threaded into member 25 in register with passage 26. Flange 66 may be formed on the lower end of shaft 46 for supporting the sleeve at this point. Blade 67, extending to the center of liner 65 (Figs. 3, 6 and 7), is secured in the lower portion thereof for the purpose to be described. I

Referring now to Figs. 1, 2, 6 and 7, liner 65 is shown as cooperating with a manifold comprising a casing 70 having a central air chamber 71 connected to an air inlet pipe 72 which has a valve 73 therein for controlling the supplyof air. The manifold has a divided air outlet, including ports 74 and 75, to which connecting flanges 76 and 77., respectively, are secured. A divided pipe 78 is secured centrally of housing 70 with its upper end in register with liner 65 and its lower end divided to form channels 79 and 80 which extend concentric with ports 74 and 75, respectively. Ducts 81 and 82 (Fig. 2) extending to burners may be secured to coupling flanges 76 and 77, respectively, and serve to distribute the pulverized fuel to the various burners of the furnace.

The upper portion of pipe 7 8 is formed with a flange 85 having a recess therein to receive slides 86. Casting 87 has a similar flange 88 and is joined to flange 85 in any convenient manner. Slides 86 are provided with handles 89 by which their. position may be controlled. Screws 90 are threaded in flanges 85 and 88 and cooperate with friction members 91 for holding said members in adjustable frictional engagement with slides 86 whereby said slides may be secured in any desired position. Slides 86 are adapted to be positioned over the section of pipe 78 leading to any particular outlet channel and thereby cut off the supply of fuel to a selected burner. Blade 67 serves to scrape the fuel off any slide which is in closed position into the open channels.

Referring now to Fig. 1, the primary air 5' is supplied to the feeder from a supply duct 95 provided with a branch 96 having a damper 96 communicating with casting l5 and also a branch 97 communicating with inlet pipe 72 of the manifold.

In the operation of the above described feeder the pulverized fuel in the hopper is constantly agitated as member 35 and rod 40 are rotated. Power is applied to worm 62 thereby causing rotation of gear 60 and the drive shaft 46, together with member 25 which is secured thereto. As member 25 rotates the fuel is blown from successive cells 14 by air passing through housing 15 and passage 36 and is applied through liner 65 to the distributing manifold. The fuel is divided on reaching pipe 78 in substantially equal quantities and is applied through various channels 79 and 80 to the different burners. Inasmuch as the feeding mechanism constantly rotates, any variation in fuel distribution in the rotating members is equalized over a complete revolution so that a substantially even distribution of the fuel to the burners takes place. The main supply of primary air enters pipe 72 and passes through ports 74 and 75 around channels 7 9 and of pipe 78 where it mixes with the stream of pulverized fuel and forces the same into the burner in a manner well known in the art. It is obvious that the number of burners supplied by a single feeder may be varied as desired by equally distributing the outlet ports around the manifold. A device for supplying two burners has been shown for purposes of illustration only.

In disassembling the device, bolts 24 are removed, thereby permitting housing 20 to be separated from casting 15. Shaft 46, which is journaled in housing 20, then slides out of engagement with member 25 and over tubular liner 65 which remains in said housing. Key 47 is adapted to permit disengagement of the above elements for this purpose. The shields 57 and 58 protect the bearings from dust and reduce the amount of wear thereon.

The feeder is especially adapted to remov the fuel from all portions of the hopper, inasmuch as the fuel is successively removed from various cells extending entirely around the periphery of plate 10. The feeder also permits any burner to be placed in or out of operation without afiecting the supply of fuel to the remaining burners, and insures an even distribution of fuel to all of the burners which are in operation at any particular time. Inasmuch as the fuel is contained in stationary cells, a definite quantity of fuel is distributed at each revolution of 65 the feeder, this quantity representing the combined capacity of the various cells. The amount of fuel supplied to the burners can accordingly be regulated by controlling the speed of rotation of the feeder. It is obvious that this speed may be varied, depending upon the number of burners in operation as well as the amount of fuel supplied to-each burner. I

lVhile certain novel features of the inven tion have been shown and described and are pointed out in theannexed claims, it will be understood that various omlssions, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

VVha-t I claim is: a

l. A. feeder comprising a stationary memher having cells therein adapted to receive material by gravity, a rotary member'underlying all of said cells with the exception of a cell being discharged, a second rotary mem her oveilyiin a portion of said cells and hav- M ing a passage therein for directing an air stream into the cell being discharged, and means for rotating the rotarysmembers in unison.

2. A feeder for pulverized material comprising a stationary member having cells its with one of said cells for receiving material therefrom, a second rotary member overlying certain of said cells and having a passage registering with the passage of said first member, means for supplying an air current to the passage of said second member Where- N by the material in the cell registering therewith is blown through the passage of the member underlylng sa1d cells, and means for rotating sa1d rotary members 1n synchronlsm for successively bringing said passages in engagement with the various cells whereby the material may be discharged therefrom.

4. An apparatus for discharging pulverized material comprising a plate having c1rcu closure for said cells, said member having'a passage adapted to register with one of said cells, a second rotary member mounted above said plate and being adapted to cover a portion of said cells whereby said pulverized lariy disposed cells, a rotary member mounted beneath sa1d plate and forming a material is permitted to fall by gravity into the exposed cells, said second member having a passage therein registering with the passageof said first member and adapted to expose one of said cells, and means for passing an air current through the passage in said second member whereby the material is blown from the exposed cell into the passage in the first mentioned member, the arrangement being such that the cells are completely discharged once during each revolution of said members.

5. An apparatus for discharging pulverized material comprising a supply hopper, a plate havin circularly disposedcells, disposed at the bottom of said hopper, a rotary member mounted beneath said plate and adapted to form a closure'forsaid cells, said member having a passage adapted to register with one of said cells, a second rotary mem ber mounted above said plate and being adapted to cover a portion of said cells whereby said pulverized material is permitted to fall by gravity into the exposed cells, said second member having a. passage therein registering with the passage of said first member'and adapted to expose one of said cells, and means for passing an air current through the passage into said second member whereby the material is blown from the exposed cell into the passage in the first mentioned member, the arrangement being such that the cells are completely discharged once during each revolution of said members, said second member extending above said plate and into the supply hopper, whereby rotation thereof serves to agitate the pulverized material therein.

6. An apparatus for discharging pulverized material comprising a supply hopper, a plate having circularly disposed cells disposed at the bottom of said hopper, a rotary member mounted beneath said plate and adapted to form a closure for said cells, said member having a passage adapted to register with one of said cells, a second rotary member mounted above said plate and being adapted to cover a portion of said cells whereby said pulverized material is permitted to fall by gravity into the exposedcells, said second member having a passage therein registering with the passage of the said first member and adapted to expose one of said cells, and means for passing an air current through the passage in said second member whereby the material is blown from the exposed cell into the passage in the first mentioned member, the arrangement being such that the cells are completely discharged once during each revolution of said members, said second member extending above said plate and into the supply hopper whereby rotation thereof serves to agitate the pulverized material therein, and a member secured to said second member and extending into a plurality of peripherally spaced cells therein, an air housing mounted below said plate,

a rotary member mounted in said air housing including a plate extending beneath said cells and having a central air port and a passage adapted to register, with one of said cells, a rotary member secured thereto and having a plate overlying some of said cells and an air passage mterconneetmg said central port with said first mentioned passage through the cell in register therewith, means for supplying air to said housing for blowing the material from said cell, and means for rotating said members whereby said passages are successively brought into register with the various cells.

8. A mechanism for supplying powdered material o a plurality of devices comprising a hollow shaft, means for passing powdered fuel therethrough, a manifold in regis ter with said shaft and having branches extending to each of said devices, an air house ing inclcsing said manifold and having air ports surrounding each of said branches, and means for selectively closing said branches.

9. A mechanism for supplying powdered material to a plurality of devices comprising a hollow shaft, means for passing powdered fuel therethrough, a manifold in register with said shaft and having branches extending to each of said devices, an air housing inclosing said manifold and having air ports surrounding each of said branches, and means for selectively closing said branches comprising slides adapted" to cover said branches and prevent application of fuel thereto.

10. A mechanism for supplying powdered material to a plurality of devices comprising hollow rotary shaft, means for passing owdered fuel therethrou 'h, a manifold in P e register with said shaft and having branches extending to each of said devices, an air housing inclosing said manifold and having. air ports surrounding each of said branches, and

means for selectively closing said branches comprising slides adapted to cover said branches andprevent applicatlon of fuel thereto, said rotary pipe having a blade therein adapted to remove fuel from said slides.

11. A feeder for supplying powdered material to a plurality of devices comprising stationary means for selecting definite predetermined quantities o-f-said material, rotary means cooperating with said stationary means for removing the material therefrom, said rotary means comprising a hollow rotary shaft for conveying said powdered material, a manifold in register with said shaft and having branches extending to each of said devices, an air housing inclosing said manifold and having air parts surrounding each ofsaidbranches, and means forselectively closing said branches.

12. A feeder for supplying powdered material to a plurality of devices comprising stationary means for selecting definite predetermined quantities of said material, rotary means cooperating with said stationary means for removing the material therefrom, said rotary means comprising a hollow rotary shaft for conveying said powdered material, a manifold in register with said shaft and having branches extending to each of said devices, an air housing inclosing said manifold and having air ports surrounding each of said branches, and means for selectively clos ing said branches comprising slides adapted to cover said branches for preventing application of powdered material thereto.

13. A feeder for supplying powdered material to a plurality of devices comprising stationary means for selecting definite predetermined quantities of said material, rotary means cooperating with said stationary means for removing the material therefrom, said rotary means comprising a hollow rotary shaft for conveying said powdered material, a manifold in register with said shaft and having branches extending to each of said devices, an air housing lnclosing said manlfold and having air ports surrounding each of said branches, means for selectively closing said branches comprising slides adapted to cover said branches for preventing application of powdered material thereto, and a blade carried by said rotary pipe for removing powdered material from said slides.

14. A feeder comprising a housing, a stationary cell member disposed horizontally in said housing having circumferentially disposed vertical cell passages thereinand a rotary device for successively admitting pulverulent material to and retaining the same in and discharging the same from said cell passages comprising an upper member having a channel and a lower member having a channel, said chanels registering successively through said cell passages on rotation of said rotary device.

15. A feeder comprising a housing a station ary cell member disposed horizontally in said housing having circumferentially disposed vertical cell passages there-in and a rotary device for successively admitting pulverulent material to and retaining the same in and discharging the same from said cell passages comprising an upper member overlying some but not all of said cell passages- 1n any one position and movable to successively uncover all of the cell passages and having a channel, and a lower member having a channel, said channels registering sue,

cessively through said cellpassages' on ro-' tation of said rotary device.

16. A feeder comprising a housing, a stationary cell member disposed horizontally in said housing having circumferentially dis-E7 posed vertical cell passages therein and a rotary device for success vely admitting pulveru-lent material to and retaining the same in and discharging the same from said cell passages comprising an upper member overlying some but not all of said cell passages n any one position andmovable to successively uncover all of the cell'passages and having a channel, and a lower member having a channel, said channels registering successive- 1 ly through said cell passages, and saidlower member forminga closure for all of said cell passageslexcept suchas is in registry with said channels.

17. A feeder comprising a housing, .a sta- 5 tionary-member in said housing having a group of cell passages therethrough, and a rotary device for successively admitting pulverulent'material to and retaining the same in and discharging thesame fromsaid cell passages" comprising an upper member and a lower member, said upper member being formed to admit pulverulent material to a portion of the cell. group, said lower member closing said portion of the cell group at the bottom,-*said upper member having an air space in communication with a second portion of the cell gro'up, and said lower member having a channel communicating with, said second portion of the cell group. 1

18. 'A feeder comprising a housing, a stationary memberin said housing havinga group ofcellpassagestherethrough, and a rotary device for successively admitting pulverulent material to and retaining the same in and discharging the same from said cell passages comprising an upper member and a lower member,- saidupper member being formed to admit pulverulent material to a portionof the cell group,said lower member closingsaid portion of the cell groupat the bottom, said upper member having an air space in communication with a second portion of the cell gro'up, said lower member having a channel communicating with said second portion of the cell group, meansto supply air to said air space fromibelow said stationary member andthrough said lower member, and means to rotate said rotary device.

19. A feeder'comprising a housing, an an- 1 0 nular plate horizontally disposed in said housing and having a central opening and a group of cell pasages circumferentially disposed around the same, and a rotary device for successively admitting pulverulent material to and retaining the same in and discharging the same from said cell passages comprising an upper member and a lower member, said device extending through said central opening, said upper member being "formed 'to' admit pulv e'rulent material to a Y portion of the cell group, said lower member closing said cell group at the bottom, said upper member having "an airspace in commumca-tion'with a second portion of the cell group, said lower member having a channel communicating w1th sald second POIilOIl of the cell group, means to supply air to said air space from below said stationary member and through said lower member, and means for rotating said rotary device. V

" 20. A feeder comprising a housing, a stationary member in said housing having a group of cell passages therethrough, and a rotary device for successively admitting pulverulent material to and retaining the "samein and discharging the same from said cell passages comprising an upper member and a lower .member, said upper member being formed to admit pulverulent material to a portionof the cell. group, said lower member closing said portion of the cell group at the bottom, said upper member having an air space in communicationwith a second portion of the cell group, said lower member having a channel communicating with said second portion of the cell group, a conduit for receiving pulverulent material from said channel, and a common source of air supply for said air space and said conduit.

21. A feeder comprising a housing, a stationary member in said housing having a group of cell passages therethrough, and a rotary device for successively admitting pulverulent material to and retaining the same in and discharging the same from said cell passages comprising an upper member and a lower member, said upper member being formed to admit pulverulent material to a portion of the cell group, said lower member closing said portion of the cell group at the bottom, said upper member having an air space in communication with a second portion of the cell group,v said lowermember having a channel communicating with said second portion of the cell group, a conduit for receiving p'ulverulent material from said channel, means to supply air to said channel and to said air space, and means to control the relative amounts of air supplied to the air space and the conduit. .7 V

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature. 7

- MARTIN FRISOH; 

